Electricity and Magnets Flashcard Set

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to electric power, circuits, conductors, insulators, and magnets, based on the student's lecture notes.

What is static electricity?

A sticky, built-up charge that stays in one place, happening when two things rub together.

What is harnessed electricity?

Electricity that flows from a power plant to your home, always moving.

How does static electricity work?

Electrons jump onto an object and stay there.

How does harnessed electricity work?

Electrons move in a steady flow through wires to power devices.

Give an example of static electricity.

Rubbing a balloon on your hair.

Give an example of harnessed electricity.

Plugging in a lamp or turning on a TV.

What does it mean if two objects have the same charge?

They push each other away (repel).

What is a circuit?

The complete path that electricity must follow to run a device.

What happens in a closed circuit?

The path is complete, and the light turns ON.

What happens in an open circuit?

The path is broken, and the light turns OFF.

What is a battery's role in a circuit?

It acts as the gas station or energy source.

What is the role of a wire in a circuit?

It acts as the road for electricity to flow.

What is a switch's function in a circuit?

It serves as the gate that opens or closes the road.

What is a light bulb's role in a circuit?

It functions as the finish line for the electron race.

What is a conductor?

A material that helps electricity pass through easily.

What is an insulator?

A material that blocks electricity and stops it from flowing.

Give an example of a conductor.

Metals like paper clips or gold.

Give an example of an insulator.

Materials like plastic, wood, or rubber.

What is the resistivity of conductors?

They have low resistance (not much pushback).

What is the resistivity of insulators?

They have high resistance (they push back hard).

What is an electromagnet?

A switchable magnet needing a battery or electric current to work.

What is a permanent magnet?

A magnet that doesn't need a battery and is always magnetic.

How can you make an electromagnet stronger?

Add more coils of wire or use a bigger battery.

What is a magnetic field?

A force bubble around a magnet.

What happens if you put a thick material between a magnet and a small object?

The magnet's force bubble gets smaller, making it harder to pick up the object.